tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281656422370407912024-03-14T06:11:20.158-04:00Merryweather's CottageAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-55142656111844807822017-08-19T13:30:00.000-04:002017-08-19T13:30:11.615-04:00Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park Polar Patios <img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SuHNVV9ja4/WZSW0G-d17I/AAAAAAAAHA4/xdNGapSf09YS92AQ8gTHAgrzaVLJS5Q1gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2955.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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I may have mentioned (a lot!) that my family are high maintenance travelers. We like what we like and we require some special attention; we know it and are wiling to pay for it. It's one of the reasons we love Disney so much. They have options to accommodate travelers like us! As such, we decided to reserve a Polar Patio this summer at Disney's Blizzard Beach water park. The Polar Patios are a reserved area for just your travel party (up to 6 people). You can reserve them prior to your arrival (ask your travel agent to do this for you!), or you can check and see if they have any available the day you arrive. After you have checked in at the Beach Haus (a gift shop near the entrance of the water park), you are all given wristbands and your attendant takes you to your Polar Patio. Once there, they will orient you to your Polar Patio and the services available.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4UOgDM1RJQ/WZSWvPh68SI/AAAAAAAAHA8/zdR9Zil9Bes4WvhftUGKJcR4WOhTNWuawCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4UOgDM1RJQ/WZSWvPh68SI/AAAAAAAAHA8/zdR9Zil9Bes4WvhftUGKJcR4WOhTNWuawCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2956.jpg" width="320" /></a> I am always worried about having enough shade for my very fair skin, and having a place to settle with the kids. The added bonus of having someone available to bring us food and drinks sounded like an actual vacation to me! We managed to get a perfect location (Patio 1) for our family, right near the kid area, a snack shack, and directly across from the restrooms. I didn't request a specific location so I don't know if it was dumb luck or if Disney actually looked at the ages of our kids. When you rent a polar patio there is seating for 6, towels, a cooler stocked with ice and water bottles, refillable mugs for everyone in your party, plenty of towels for everyone, and a personal attendant who will bring you food and beverage all day long. We definitely felt pampered all day!</div>
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I will be honest here and say that your experience with these Patios may vary depending on the attendant assigned to you. You will be given a phone number so you can text your attendant throughout the day, and they will bring you just about anything you like. Menus are provided on the patio for food and drinks available in the water park. Keep in mind, It can take a while for your items to be delivered because your attendant is physically going from one place to another to get the food and drinks you are requesting. So plan ahead and be aware that you may be close enough to a food location to grab what you want without having to wait.</div>
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The food options at Blizzard Beach were different than we were used to, as they have family platters and salads that feed up to 4 guests. It was a perfect solution for our family. Three of us are all about the food and two just really want chicken strips and fries! And here, as with every other place we've been on property, they are able to handle any food allergies we throw at them.<br />
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The drink options were great! They had a nice selection of sweet and not sweet drinks. Something for everyone.<br />
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You will have the option to have a running tab all day; if you choose this, be sure to check out with plenty of time to get to your next destination. We were pressed for time for our dinner reservation because it took SO LONG to check us out at the end of the day. We may have been one of the last families to leave the park! Just afford yourself enough time.<br />
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Overall it was a great experience and something special for our family to do. I might not do it again, but it was definitely worth doing once! I'd love to hear about your experiences renting a Polar Patio! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-14274196137439252402017-08-17T07:00:00.000-04:002017-08-17T07:00:13.996-04:00WDW Water Park Review: Blizzard Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On our last trip to Walt Disney World we enjoyed a day at Disney's Blizzard Beach, one of Disney's two water parks. If you don't already know this about Disney, they pride themselves on storytelling and there is a backstory to this water park. According to Disney "legend" (and wikipedia), a freak snowstorm in the area led to the development of Florida's first ski resort. Naturally, the snow did not last long. This left behind a collection of waterlogged but snow-less ski jumps and chair lifts. The operators were preparing to cut their losses and walk away. However, they were interrupted by an echoing "YAHHOOO!!!" coming from the mountain of melting snow. They looked up to see a blue alligator, wearing a red scarf and gold inner tube, careening down the mountain at top speed. Ice Gator, the mascot, then landed in a pool of melted snow at the base of the mountain with a thunderous splash. The ski resort operators suddenly saw the park's potential, and the mountain of snow became Blizzard Beach, "the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!"<br />
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Our family has fallen in love with taking a day at the water parks during our Disney stays. Our little ones are water bugs and will swim in any old pool, but a day at the water parks has become a big treat! And since it's only $62/person (or less with a Disney Vacation Club or Annual Pass discount) it's a bargain day compared to the theme parks! There is something for all of us, including a lazy river, a wave pool, and lots of slides and attractions.<br />
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There are plenty of shelters throughout Blizzard Beach with shaded seating and chairs so, if you are like me, you won't burn to death while having fun! There are also lockers and changing rooms/showers near the front of the park for anyone needing a secure location for their valuables.<br />
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At the time of this writing, Disney was also providing the park rental towels free of charge for resort guests (they are also part of a polar patio reservation). Otherwise, you can either rent them for the day, or bring your own. Life vests are provided throughout the park for little ones free of charge.<br />
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And as evidenced by the photos above, PhotoPass photographers were all around the water park taking pictures and handing out PhotoPass card on a rubber band so we wouldn't lose them and could have some great pictures from our day! It was a really fun touch this year that wasn't available last year.<br />
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There are also plenty of places to get food and beverages (even the adult variety) so if you don't want to tote your own food, you have plenty of choices. There is even a refillable mug so that you can have unlimited fountain drinks while there. We didn't think that would be very appealing and yet we quickly realized it was exactly what our family needed. Also, don't try and take your resort dining plan mug; it won't work!<br />
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Another tip if you are staying at a Disney Resort, put your MagicBand in a secure location while in the water. They DO NOT float. We saw more than one person combing the lazy river and wave pool looking for their MagicBand.<br />
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We had a blast at Disney's Blizzard Beach this summer. The kids all gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. (Typhoon Lagoon has our heart for atmosphere - Blizzard Beach for activities.) And incase you are wondering, here is my list of essentials for your Blizzard Beach Bag:<br />
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<li>goggles or snorkel mask</li>
<li>waterproof case for your phone (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Waterproof-Universal-iPhone-Galaxy/dp/B01KV4FIOC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502912277&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=waterproof+phone+pouch&psc=1" target="_blank">I like this one</a>)</li>
<li>sunscreen!</li>
<li>water socks </li>
<li>a small waterproof toy for the kiddie area</li>
<li>cover ups or dry clothes for the ride "home" (the busses are freezing!)</li>
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If you go to the water parks in Disney I would love to hear your feedback! And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-42161328759928556862017-08-08T08:00:00.000-04:002017-08-08T08:00:17.620-04:00DIY Figment Sleep Mask<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past year or so the 4 year old has been struggling with fear of the dark and "sleeping alone" (although she shares a room with her brother, I suspect she would rather be in the same bed and not just the same room). I have tried to implement several ideas to make bedtime more appealing and less stressful for us both! So far we have created a curtain that surrounds her bed (she's on the bottom bunk), started a kid's meditation (4 quick minutes, you can find the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1066018502?mt=8" target="_blank">app here</a>), used a dream spray for good dreams (an essential oil and water spray I just whipped up), and use of a sleep mask (remember these <a href="http://merryweatherscottage.blogspot.com/2013/10/diy-meeko-raccoon-sleep-mask.html" target="_blank">Meeko ones</a>?). Most nights it has not been a struggle. This is a good thing!<br />
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I was watching her sleeping with her Figment stuffy one night and thought, wouldn't it be awesome to make a sleep mask of Figment? He is her recent obsession and it seemed like one more enticement for bedtime! So I got to work. I simply used the pattern from the Meeko mask for the right size and started altering it to look like Figment. I love how this turned out and so does she! It's a little bigger than I would want it to be but nevertheless she loves it. And it actually sticks out from her nose so it's not as suffocating as the picture makes it look!<br />
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I am sure there will be more Figment crafting in the cottage as this is one character we just can't get enough of lately. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-729460300107811252017-07-05T08:25:00.000-04:002017-07-06T11:05:02.484-04:00Tiffins in Disney's Animal Kingdom; A Must Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you have not yet tried Tiffins in Animal Kingdom you really, really must. Our family takes food pretty seriously and we think it is currently the best restaurant on property barring Victoria and Albert's. The selections are interesting and not on your typical dining menu, the ingredients are fresh and delicious and the cocktails are inventive and satisfying. We think they truly live up to their claim to "set off on a culinary expedition of international cuisine inspired by exploration and adventure." We are in love with this new option.<br />
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<u>Who Would Best Be Suited For This Location?</u><br />
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If your family likes ethnic cuisine, art and is ready to sit in the air conditioning for a while, this is the place for you. In fact, even if you have a couple picky eaters and a few adventurous souls, you will still be happy eating here. It is a signature dining location which means a.) you will be eating in a nice location, at a table with more than one server waiting on you = it's more expensive than other table service locations around the parks, and b.) you can expect there to be a wide selection of food and wines available, as well as a very accommodating kitchen.<br />
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<u>What We Ordered:</u><br />
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You can reference the full <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/tiffins/menus/" target="_blank">menu here</a>. It's full of fantastic selections! We arrived for lunch with a VERY picky kindergartener with food allergies, a somewhat adventurous preschooler, and 3 adult, self proclaimed foodies at our last dining experience at Tiffins. I had taken the time to email ahead (special diets) and ask specifically for chicken nuggets to be on the menu for the one who barely eats any other protein. They would not guarantee that they would be available, but lo and behold when we asked, they had them! In my experience, most signature dining locations will do this for you with a little planning ahead. Also, if you forgot to plan ahead, ask if they have them in the house. It's possible that they ordered a big bag of them at the request of someone else and still have some in the kitchen.<br />
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Our meal started with house made bread, and since I no longer eat gluten, I passed. As an alternative for me they brought out rice cracker "bread" made in house with the same olive oil and molasses combination to dip it in. Such a great alternative to the usual gluten free bread served elsewhere on property!<br />
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Preschooler:<br />
Pasta Marinara followed by Caramel-Chocolate Cake<br />
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VERY picky Kindergartener:<br />
Chicken Nuggets, Fries and Green Beans followed by Caramel-Chocolate Cake (chef made sure the cake was safe for his food allergies)<br />
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Foodie 1: Zinger Fizzie, Marinated Grilled Octopus, Pan-seared Duck Breast, Lime Cheesecake<br />
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Foodie 2: Jenn's Tattoo, Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Berkshire Pork Tenderloin (no dessert)<br />
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Foodie 3: Annapurna Zing, Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Duo of Venison, Sorbet Tasting<br />
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Suffice it to say, all meals were shared around our table and in all seriousness, the 3 foodies believed we had each ordered the best meal on the menu. All dishes were inspired and delicious. Nothing was over or under cooked. The only complaint at our table was from the VERY picky eater who asked our server, "why did you bring me these?" regarding his green beans.<br />
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And speaking of our server, we were delighted to meet someone from home who was very accommodating and just as tickled as we were regarding his complaint. Food allergies can be a pain to deal with but we never felt we were cause anyone any trouble. Our server's recommendations and advice were perfect. Our meal and experience were outstanding. We couldn't have asked for better.<br />
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And I can't wrap this up without a nod to the atmosphere at Tiffins. It is beautiful as well. It felt like an oasis (not just for the air conditioning). Tiffins is also an art gallery showing off a range of art that has inspired or become part of Disney's Animal Kingdom. It really is a feast for the eyes as well. And it kept our small tourists occupied as we waited for our meals to be ready.<br />
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In short, Tiffins will be part of our Animal Kingdom visits for many years to come. There was no wait for a table on a week day in the middle of June and we were over the moon with this perfect break in our hot and hectic theme park day. You really need to try this place if you haven't been. We can't wait to go back.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-66696699558240999492017-06-30T08:00:00.000-04:002017-06-30T08:00:23.950-04:00How To Handle The Unexpected Travel Delays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you travel as much as we do, you are bound to run into bad travel delays. Most of the time there is really not much you can do to resolve the situation. You are at the mercy of the weather, the airline, or the local department of transportation. Whatever the case may be, you are going to have hiccups. On our latest Disney trek, there was weather all up and down the east coast affecting over 50% of the hubs for our preferred airline. So even though we enjoy all the privileges of my husband's airline status there was no way we were going to make our connection. So what is a poor traveler without much experience to do when this happens? Here is what I have learned traveling with a seasoned business traveler.<br />
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Cancelled Flights</div>
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Instead of following the herd to the customer service line, get on your cell immediately and try to get rebooked. Call or use the app. Check your email to see if the airline has sent you an alternative to book quickly. The idea here is to get to the head of the electronic line, not the physical line. And then use your phone to find a hotel if you will need one. Be sure to confirm it before leaving the airport. And ask what will happen to your luggage so you know where to pick it up the next morning.<br />
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Missing Disney Reservations<br />
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It happens. Travel delays cause you to have to miss a dining reservation or some fastpasses. The first thing to do is call or text your travel agent. They will be able to fix the dining issues for you. If you haven't booked with an agent (why is that??), if you are still within the 24 hour limit, you should be fine. If you are inside that limit, explain to Disney that missing your reservation is entirely out of your control. It's likely they will be accommodating and waive the fee for canceling within the 24 hour time frame. Your fastpasses don't come with a penalty, but it is courteous to let them go. Someone else will be so glad you did!<br />
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Stay Rested and Fed<br />
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If at all possible, keep the children fed and rested. And get some sleep yourself. Also, give yourself permission to recover once you arrive at your destination. You don't have to jump right into your plans. Take an hour, take half a day, do what you need to do to make the rest of your vacation enjoyable.<br />
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Check Your Attitude<br />
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It's so hard to stay positive when things seem to be falling apart around you, but it helps to remember that the one thing you always are in control of is yourself. You have the power to decide how you will respond to what is happening around you. Give yourself permission to be frustrated and then move on. Treat yourself to a new movie on your mobile device, purchase that book you've been wanting to read, allow yourself to use more data than you would because this is a special circumstance. Do whatever it is you need to do to keep yourself from falling apart along with your travel plans.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-53217337473308713622017-06-28T07:11:00.000-04:002017-06-28T07:11:12.510-04:00What's Your Favorite Candy Bar? Or Why Crowdsourcing Your Trip on FaceBook Is A Bad Call<a href="https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/interior-design-crowdsourcing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/interior-design-crowdsourcing-1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin-top: auto;" width="320" /></a>You've seen it before; someone on your Facebook feed asks for recommendations for their upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. It's likely they have never been and are looking for tips and tricks to get them started. This post may or may not phase you. Maybe you get all excited and recommend all your favorite attractions, and where your favorite parade seats are, and where they just <i>have</i> to get dining reservations. Or you may just scroll right past thinking, that's a nightmare I <i>don't</i> want to get involved with. When I see those posts, I cringe. I cringe because not only will there be a ton of erroneous information, I cringe because their friends are cheerfully letting them know all the things they liked (and didn't) while in no way considering your family's needs and desires. They are telling you what their favorite candy bar is, not telling you where you can find <i>your</i> favorite.<br />
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Remember that jingle from Almond Joy and Mounds? Sometimes you feel like a nut; sometimes you don't. This is what a good travel planner can parse out for you. When you are considering a trip to Walt Disney World the last thing you need is the conflicting advice from your friends; some of them like nuts, some don't. What you really need is the help of a Disney travel planner. These people are trained in all things Disney. They have experience and knowledge your friends who went two years ago don't. You need to think about what it is <b>your</b> family likes, what <b>your</b> needs are, how <b>you</b> like to travel, and where <b>you</b> like to stay.<br />
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Consider this: Are you foodies, and if so, do you have food allergies? Are you the family that likes to go till you drop, or do you like a more leisurely pace? Does your family like to swim, or do you prefer a playground? Are you into broadway shows, or thrill rides, or both? Do you like a high level of convenience in your trip, or do you want to travel on a shoestring? Do you want autonomy, or do you like to have someone else handle the details? Maybe you want a resort with a lot of kitsch and activity, or maybe you like to stay in a quiet, out of the way place. These are not the questions your friends are considering when they recommend their favorite candy bars. They are assuming you like the same ones they do. Maybe you do, but odds are, there are some things that you like that they just don't.<br />
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So the next time you see a Facebook post asking for Disney recommendations, the best recommendation you can give is to refer them to a Disney travel planner, preferably one like me who has been over 50 times and can offer sound advice with up to date, accurate, information on all the policies and practices at Walt Disney World. I can't tell you the number of times I have seen downright incorrect information given by well meaning individuals. It's not that they are trying to sabotage your vacation, but if you listen to only the advice of friends, you are bound to be disappointed. Walt Disney World is constantly changing. They add and take away experiences on a regular basis. It's an amazing trip, but it can also be a disaster. It would be such a shame to think you are going to get one sort of candy bar and end up with your least favorite in return. Call a Disney travel planner. You will be so thankful you did.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-20003484559605569682017-02-24T06:30:00.000-05:002017-02-24T06:30:16.864-05:00Celebrate Flag Day with Margaritas!Hello readers! Did you know it's flag day in Mexico today? I think a little margarita celebration is in order, don't you? Let's take a look back at one of my favorite Cinco de Mayo posts ever!<br />
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In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we decided to do our own Disney Margarita Tour. If you are a margarita fan, you will no doubt know that<a href="http://www.lacavadeltequila.com/" target="_blank"> La Cava del Tequila</a> is THE place to go for some of the best and most inventive margaritas on property. But it's not the ONLY place. We chose to recreate some new and some vintage recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with some of the the old crew. What a blast!<br />
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And special thanks to the hubs for the incredible food!<br />
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Here are the recipes we tried. We salted all of our glasses with pink Himalayan salt. Enjoy them! And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIq9BNvjm0Y/UXQibOnN1NI/AAAAAAAAC34/IagH0B5kNvg/s1600/IMG_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIq9BNvjm0Y/UXQibOnN1NI/AAAAAAAAC34/IagH0B5kNvg/s200/IMG_0399.jpg" width="175" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sun-Kissed Margarita</b></span><br />
From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mickeys-Gourmet-Cookbook-Popular-Disneyland/dp/0786880163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366226618&sr=8-1&keywords=mickey%27s+gourmet+cookbook" target="_blank">Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook</a><br />
(Outer Rim, Contemporary - which is no longer there)<br />
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Lemon Rind<br />
Kosher salt<br />
1.5 oz 80 percent oak-aged tequila<br />
3/4 oz brandy-based orange liqueur<br />
3/4 orange liqueur<br />
4 oz sour mix<br />
crushed ice<br />
lime wheel<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YO8GxBdscRI/UXQiY_G64hI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/6Yho_4KGuhs/s1600/IMG_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YO8GxBdscRI/UXQiY_G64hI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/6Yho_4KGuhs/s200/IMG_0396.jpg" width="176" /></a>1 oz orange juice<br />
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Rub the rim of the cocktail glass with lemon rind & dip into kosher salt. Combine tequila, liqueurs & sour mix in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Top with orange juice. Garnish with lime wheel.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Seven Seas Sunset</span></b> -- same as above, but substitute cranberry juice for the orange juice.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n63xxvsEDtc/UXQjca015nI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/OicChXvgu7E/s1600/IMG_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n63xxvsEDtc/UXQjca015nI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/OicChXvgu7E/s200/IMG_0392.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Avocado Margarita </b></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lacavadeltequila.com/" target="_blank">La cava del Tequila</a> - Epcot's Mexico Pavillion<br />
(recipe from <a href="http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/12/14/reader-recipe-la-cava-del-tequila-avocado-margarita/" target="_blank">Disney Food Blog</a>)<br />
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1/2 ripe Haas avocado<br />
2 oz white 100% agave Tequila<br />
1 oz Midori melon liquor<br />
juice of one lime<br />
1 oz. Agave syrup<br />
Ice<br />
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Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth and creamy. Serve in salt rimmed glass. (use Hibiscus salt if you can. Look for it at the market next time you're in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JkqJeicnes/UXQicnzRGLI/AAAAAAAAC4I/dS0CY4Riml8/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JkqJeicnes/UXQicnzRGLI/AAAAAAAAC4I/dS0CY4Riml8/s200/IMG_0404.jpg" width="166" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Habanero Lime Margarita</b></span><br />
available at any resort lounge<br />
(Recipe from <a href="http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/disney-world-drink-reviews/2013/1/23/habanero-margarita.html" target="_blank">Party Through The Parks</a>)<br />
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1 part Patron Silver tequila<br />
3 parts Mr. & Mrs. T's sweet & sour<br />
pour ingrédients over ice and add a good drizzle of Monin habanero lime syrup and the juice from half a lime<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-SBXvGBR8/UXQibx8W1xI/AAAAAAAAC4A/bAMIOo8nnFQ/s1600/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-SBXvGBR8/UXQibx8W1xI/AAAAAAAAC4A/bAMIOo8nnFQ/s200/IMG_0403.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Agave Nectar Margarita</span></b><br />
available at any resort lounge<br />
(from <a href="http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/disney-resort-drink-recipes/2012/7/7/disney-shared-cocktail-menu-drink-recipes.html" target="_blank">Party Through The Parks</a>)<br />
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1 part Tierras Organic Blanco tequila<br />
3 parts simple syrup made with agave nectar (50% agave/50% water)<br />
Pour ingrédients over ice and add the juice from 1/2 a lime<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGqoQQKEWGc/UXQiZD4TD9I/AAAAAAAAC3c/Avj2_BHUd9g/s1600/IMG_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGqoQQKEWGc/UXQiZD4TD9I/AAAAAAAAC3c/Avj2_BHUd9g/s200/IMG_0395.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jalapeño Margarita Recipe</b></span><br />
(Cava del Tequila - Mexico pavilion, Epcot)<br />
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1/4 fresh cucumber (peeled and seeded and then cut into 1.5" pieces)<br />
2" piece green bell pepper (seeded)<br />
1/2 of 1 small jalapeño (seeded and cut into 1.5" pieces)<br />
1 shot Silver tequila<br />
Fresh lime juice<br />
Triple Sec - orange flavor<br />
Simple Syrup / agave nectar<br />
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Method: place fruit in the bottom of your glass and muddle to release some of the juices. Don't go crazy here, muddling shouldn't create a mush of fruit, just sufficiently bruise them. Top off the glass with ice and add 2 parts tequila, 1 part triple sec, 2 parts lime juice, 1 part simple syrup made with agave nectar. Shake and serve in a Himalayan salt rimmed glass.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-58195450562333018842017-02-21T06:30:00.000-05:002017-02-21T06:30:22.839-05:00Walt Disney World 101 | 10 Of Our Favorite Touring Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are gearing up in the cottage for a Spring Break trip to Walt Disney World! It's been a while since we have braved the madness of a packed theme park. And a little refresher is always a good idea! So today I share my Top 10 WDW Touring Tips with you.<br />
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These are tried and true and used on every Walt Disney World vacation we take. Some are obvious, some are not. Some have taken us a while to realize, some have been with us from the very beginning (and I do mean from the VERY beginning!). I can still hear my dad shouting, "Left side, Amy!" I hope you enjoy them and they come in useful for you and your touring party too.<br />
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<li><b>Stay To The Left.</b> This may be the single most important tip we have. Our American tendency is to stay to the right. And most tourists will choose the line or the attraction that is to their right. As we've continued to travel to WDW this rule has morphed somewhat into, take the path farthest from the door (or humanity). You'd be surprised how much faster you can get your burger and fries if you just move to the farthest line.</li>
<li><b>Wait To Leave The Parks</b>. It sounds a little nutty, but if you don't have toddlers having historic melt downs, then stay a bit after the fireworks and linger in the shops or buy one last sweet treat. Let the transportation crush happen without you. Waiting to leave the park (especially the Magic Kingdom) can make everyone's night much better.</li>
<li><b>Arrive Early</b>. If you can't manage the late nights, consider arriving for rope drop. The MK has a fun celebration prior to opening and all parks are clean and sparkling early in the morning; often you can get some nice photos with just your family in them.</li>
<li><b>Make A Dining Reservation For The Hour Before Park Opening.</b> Some character meals allow for early entry to the parks. You must have a reservation and all the members of your party before you can go in, but you can eat in the park before it is officially open. This has two advantages; obviously you can maximize your time in that first line or two and you can get some really great photos without the crush of humanity.</li>
<li><b>Get A Haircut At The Harmony Barber Shop.</b> This is strictly a Magic Kingdom experience, but I love doing this! Our first kid had the privilege of having his first haircut there. I HIGHLY recommend this! There was all sorts of kitsch and celebration and they are excellent with a wiggly kid.</li>
<li><b>Watch The Parade From Frontierland. </b>Again, this is specific to the Magic Kingdom, but we have had excellent luck finding a good spot for viewing the parade and it's usually much less hectic. This is not the best plan if you want to see the fireworks after the parade. And as an added bonus, we can hit the Pirates of the Caribbean on the way out!</li>
<li><b>Hit Your Favorite Rides During the Evening Entertainment. </b>If you are not watching the parade, the fireworks, or Illuminations, this is an excellent time to ride your favorite (usually crowded) rides. E-ticket rides were the most expensive and usually most desired rides when Disneyland and Walt Disney World opened. We still have a tendency to refer to them as such around the cottage.</li>
<li><b>Use The Single Rider Lines. </b>If you are not opposed to riding next to someone you don't know, the single rider line can be a great time saver. Usually Mr. Photos From The Parks and Doc can ride the same coaster, or consecutive coasters and come out beaming. </li>
<li><b>Grab A Button At Guest Relations. </b>Especially if you are celebrating a birthday, first visit, or anniversary, get a button! The cast members are wonderful at making a little extra magic happen. You can even request a birthday phone call at your resort when checking in! </li>
<li><b>Talk To Cast Members.</b> They are incredibly willing to help, share Disney trivia, tell jokes, trade pins, hand out stickers and trading cards, and just in general make your trip enjoyable. One of my favorite interactions was with a street sweeper in Animal Kingdom who kept my kids entertained with jokes as we were all headed to the exit together. </li>
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Remember to try and stay positive while you're touring and enjoy the time you have, even in the small moments. It's the happiest place on Earth, and you deserve a great vacation! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-69348097465516257922017-02-19T06:30:00.000-05:002017-02-19T06:30:02.866-05:00Magical Coffee | Tinkerbell Coffee Cup Cozy<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9u7j61cgFI/WKhtgfDDZVI/AAAAAAAAGrU/vAykK9NtNy87cQ-Tx5XXb84_xLUbhJJggCLcB/s1600/TinkerbellCoffee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9u7j61cgFI/WKhtgfDDZVI/AAAAAAAAGrU/vAykK9NtNy87cQ-Tx5XXb84_xLUbhJJggCLcB/s640/TinkerbellCoffee.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes a project just falls into your lap: you realize that you have all the supplies you need and suddenly you go from idea to finished project in less than 48 hours. This Tinkerbell Coffee Cozy is just such a project. and I really love the way it turned out!<br />
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Last Thursday I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a while. As we were chatting with one another we suddenly realized that we went to the same very small college but had just missed one another by a year! It's not something that happens too often and so we had to do all the requisite reminiscing about our alma mater. Later, she mentioned that she loved my <a href="http://merryweatherscottage.blogspot.com/2016/04/diy-disney-inspired-knitted-to-go-cup.html" target="_blank">Mickey Coffee Cozy</a> (which I almost always have with me!) and further mentioned how she needed one (like <b>NEEDED</b> one) that was Tinkerbell. So how could I resist? I knew I needed a new project for the blog too, so voila! Here you go! Magical Tinkerbell coffee at your service!</div>
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This one is not knit, it's crocheted; so you'll need to get your hooks out! But if memory serves, March is national crochet month, so it's the perfect time to dust them off and get this party started! If you want all the details on how to make one for yourself, you can<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HarrisonAmy/tinkerbell-coffee-cozy" target="_blank"> see my notes on Ravelry</a>. I didn't make an actual pattern for it, but if you are willing to do a little guess work, and you don't mind fudging a little bit on the pattern, it's fairly simple. </div>
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I'm really pleased with how this project turned out! I would love to hear if you have done anything like this yourself. Let me know in the comments. And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-56480974890672337402017-02-16T06:30:00.001-05:002017-02-16T06:30:17.279-05:00Life Get's In The Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMT-B-76KR8/WKSLFNMkM2I/AAAAAAAAGqY/PRA8194HyQIzQCcuCbRqStED1f9wDvbugCLcB/s1600/travel_insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMT-B-76KR8/WKSLFNMkM2I/AAAAAAAAGqY/PRA8194HyQIzQCcuCbRqStED1f9wDvbugCLcB/s320/travel_insurance.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
You know, I had this great blog post all written up about this amazing <a href="https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/ms5f3d977f/">Adventures By Disney</a> trip that I was going to take with my niece. We were going to head to London and Paris and be pampered like queens. We were going to meet Beefeaters, and make our own English tea and cycle around Versailles. I was SOOOO looking forward to it. And then, our oven broke, and our furnace crapped out and there goes my vacation budget right down the drain! I'm not going to pretend I'm fine with the whole thing, I <b><i>really</i></b> wanted to go on that trip! But, I am going to brush myself off and get busy saving again so we can try to go next time. <br />
And here's my plug for travel insurance. You just never know when things like this are going to happen. I feel like a healthy gal like me probably wouldn't need to "waste my money" on something like travel insurance. But today, if you ask me if it was worth the $700 to get the other $9000 back? Yes it was. Every single penny. Did it seem superfluous at the time? Yes. Was I hesitant to get it? You bet I was. Am I glad I did? So glad.<br />
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Life happens. Parents get sick, kid's fall and break bones, and furnaces decide to give up the ghost. We can't control that sort of thing. But we can invest in our own peace of mind. I highly recommend getting the travel insurance. As a travel agent I have seen far too many trips have to be cancelled for circumstances out of our own control. Do yourself a favor and don't skimp.<br />
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Have you ever had to cancel your Disney vacation? I'd love to hear your horror stories too! Leave them in the comments below. And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-57106092593755770382017-02-11T07:00:00.000-05:002017-02-11T07:00:04.041-05:00DIY Disney's Bambi Valentine's Day Onesie<div style="text-align: left;">
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It's almost Valentine's Day and I thought I would re-post this adorable onesie from 2014. We have a lot of new readers who may not have seen this post and honestly, I just love it so much I wanted to share it again!<br />
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Have a very happy Valentine's Day.</div>
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We have a new little addition around the cottage these days, and I just couldn't resist whipping up a Bambi inspired Valentine onesie for her. It was so simple with the Silhouette SD and some fabric paint.<br />
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I used the baby deer shape (<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Design ID #5505 ), the hearts from the sheep card (Design ID #25095), and the font Coolvetica. The text is lifted from the main musical theme from Bambi, "Love Is A Song." I made sure that my design would fit a 4"x4" box, which was just right for a 0-3 month onesie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once I had everything placed as I liked it, I cut out the shapes on stencil vinyl. <a href="http://blog.silhouetteamerica.com/2010/11/monday-tutorial-how-to-use-vinyl.html" target="_blank">This tutorial</a> from the Silhouette blog was extremely helpful in getting it transferred to the fabric. From there, I painted the shirt with two coats of fabric paint and let it dry. Voila! A cute Disney themed valentine for our sweet new bundle of magic! I'm tempted to make one in an adult size for me. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-36040909523751339242016-10-04T06:54:00.002-04:002016-10-04T06:54:45.375-04:00Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Erin of My Fantasy BandsAs part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Erin of My Fantasy Bands. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGhCWQME3Gs/V_OJjX-qXfI/AAAAAAAAGnY/fnczSsejDzYbSROQ364p44QcsNZNR6JcgCLcB/s1600/MFB_Merryweathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGhCWQME3Gs/V_OJjX-qXfI/AAAAAAAAGnY/fnczSsejDzYbSROQ364p44QcsNZNR6JcgCLcB/s400/MFB_Merryweathers.jpg" width="400" /></a>Erin sells high quality, water-safe, vinyl decals for your MagicBands in a whole host of themes! Whatever your Disney passion, she has something that will make you squee! Our family and friends (and my travel clients) have been using these for over a year and we just love them! They are durable and adorable. I hope you will enjoy getting to know Erin as much as I have. A big thanks to her for taking the time to interview with us and offering a special coupon code exclusively for my readers! And be sure to <a href="http://myfantasybands.com/site/" target="_blank">visit her shop</a> for a great selection of Disney themed decals for your MagicBands.<br />
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Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harper's)</h4>
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<i># of trips you have made: </i><b>As an adult, four</b> <b>I lived in Orlando for about 3 years as a child, and had a few day trips during that time.</b></div>
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<i>Date of first trip: <b> </b></i><b>February 2007, The Husband Unit and I were 28 and I was pregnant with our first daughter. </b></div>
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<i>Date of next trip: <b> </b></i><b>Undecided, sometime in 2017 I hope! </b></div>
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<i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.8px;"># of Resorts stayed in: </i><b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.8px;">Five</b><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> (Pop, Art of Animation, </span><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">All</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Star Music, French Quarter, Caribbean Beach ... my top 3 of these are AoA, French Quarter, and Pop)</span></span></b></div>
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<i>Usual # in your travel party: </i><b>4 or 5, we had a neighbor friend who has come with us twice, but we have moved away from her now. :(</b></div>
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<i>Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: <b> 3</b></i><b> headband ears, 4 or 5 ear hats.</b></div>
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<i>WDW or Disneyland (or other)? </i><b>I have never been to Disneyland :(</b></div>
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<i>How do you usually travel to Disney? </i><b>We have driven twice and flown twice. I prefer to fly!</b></div>
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<i>Do you have any tips for trips? </i><b>Don't try to plan every moment of your trip. Sometimes the best memories are ones that happen spontaneously.</b></div>
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<i>Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? <b> </b></i><b>I love the Rose and Crown at Epcot, and Wolfgang Puck's Express at Disney Springs. There are many table dining locations we have not experienced yet. We usually have the Quick Service dining plan. </b></div>
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<i>What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? </i><b>Magic Kingdom is my favorite park, so all my favorites just happen to be there. My top 3 rides are Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and </b><b>oddly enough, the People Mover. I could ride the People Mover all day. Some people think it's boring, but I find it relaxing and enjoy the vantage point of the park from the elevated track. </b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px;">My don't miss attractions for other parks: In Epcot I love Test Track and SOARIN (although I have not experienced the new revamped SOARIN), and I enjoy the hydroponic tour ride at Living with the Land. At Hollywood Studios I enjoy Toy Story Mania, and the Rockin Roller Coaster, and the Little Mermaid show. At Animal Kingdom I love the K</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>ilimanjaro Safaris, the Finding Nemo show, and the Kali River Rapids. </b></span></div>
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<i>Stage shows, yes or no? </i></div>
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<i>Parades, yes or no? </i><b>For both of these, it depends on crowds and weather. If we are able get to a parade or stage show early with a good vantage point, we will. We really play it by ear. If the parks are crowded or the weather is hot, we avoid parades and try to stay on the move and hit more ride attractions. </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Indoor stage shows are a great way to escape the heat. </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">If crowds are lighter and weather is mild, we might slow down to watch a parade or outdoor stage show. We try to attend a fireworks show at least twice during our vacation, often more. </b></div>
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<i>Best Fast Pass to get: </i><b>SOARIN, Mine Train, Toy Story Mania. </b></div>
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<i>Favorite park: </i><b>Magic Kingdom!</b></div>
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<i>One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: </i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Don't try to see and do EVERYTHING, it's impossible. Make a list of your must-do attractions, and prioritize. Also, be prepared for the unexpected, and try not to be too bummed at the end of your trip if something didn't happen. Remember that you were at DISNEY WORLD and your trip was probably pretty amazing even if you didn't see that one show or ride that one ride. </b></span></div>
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<i>How do you create extra magic for your family: </i><b>I casually shop around for months ahead of time gathering little Disney-themed trinkets from clearance sales and dollar stores. I pack them in a secret bag to give my girls gifts throughout our vacation, and also have left "Mickey Mail" in our resort room for them to find. This saves on spending big bucks on park souvenirs. Each family member has a gift card to spend on a few special items in the parks. </b></div>
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<i>How can we connect with you? </i><b><a href="mailto:myfantasybands@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email</a> </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/myfantasybands/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>!</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-22146401436607196902016-09-20T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-20T07:00:04.304-04:00Doc Terminus's Magical Potion Bottle | DIY Disney Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vb7P5QEyzU/V8CCAikGWyI/AAAAAAAAGmY/-SdS-wparmUdJtaAoH7SJD5b87JomztQwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vb7P5QEyzU/V8CCAikGWyI/AAAAAAAAGmY/-SdS-wparmUdJtaAoH7SJD5b87JomztQwCLcB/s400/IMG_0926.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have been holding on to this idea for a while and I FINALLY had the time to sit down and hammer it out! And I am so glad to be able to share this downloadable with you too!<br />
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My regular readers will know that I have a love for all things Pete's Dragon. (The original Pete's Dragon - the jury is still out for us on the remake.) I grew up watching the original from the 70s as well as the Main Street Electrical Parade. It just isn't the MSEP until I see Elliot and Pete come lumbering down Main Street all aglow! This movie and its characters hold a special place in my heart. I've already posted two Pete's Dragon t-shirt designs <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/harrisonamy/collections/229312-disney-classics?asc=u" target="_blank">here</a>. You can sport your Passamaquoddy Tavern shirt or your love of Elliot design instead. And remember, as I always say, these designs come on several different products - not just Ts! I love my Be Brazzle Dazzle pencil case! It's so versatile.<br />
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One of my favorite characters in the original movie is Doc terminus, the snake oil salesman who comes breezing into Passamaquoddy in his crazy land-boat and even though he has duped these townspeople time and again, he plows forth and sells them his snake oil once again!<br />
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I was inspired by this great bottle (and empty Uncle Val's Botanical Gin bottle - which I HIGHLY recommend!) to make an homage to Doc Terminus to add to our very Disney Halloween Decor! If you would like to have this bottle label for you very own, you can download it for FREE by clicking <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ivup85vzqytlv99/DocTerminusPotion%20copy.jpg?dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>. If you use it, I would love to see how! Tag me on IG @merryweatherscottage or here on the blog! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-85758970142064370192016-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-17T07:00:24.790-04:00Customizing Your MagicBands with My Fantasy Bands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke3awTHq-1M/V7cqhOfe6UI/AAAAAAAAGmA/OywK0A5QoqYsvthCpz6zY4R_aEHKSJjPwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke3awTHq-1M/V7cqhOfe6UI/AAAAAAAAGmA/OywK0A5QoqYsvthCpz6zY4R_aEHKSJjPwCLcB/s320/IMG_5113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you have been to Walt Disney World lately you will notice that the DIY and customized Disney experience is at an all time high! LOADS of us are sporting our special shirts, hats, bags and now MagicBands. Of course, we at the cottage are TOTALLY into that!<br />
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Today I wanted to introduce you to one of my favorite products for customizing your MagicBand: <a href="http://myfantasybands.com/site/" target="_blank">My Fantasy Bands</a>. These decals are professionally printed and can withstand the abuse of my family! We are still using these same magic bands a year later. And they have all been in the pool and the shower/bath and remain on the bands with no peeling. I am really impressed with the quality of these decals. In fact, if you have booked a trip with me in the last few months, you may have received a surprise package of these for your very own MagicBands!<br />
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These decals were really easy to apply, and they come with instructions on how to make them last. Plus she has ALL SORTS of great themes, some seasonal, some Disney related, some just for fun! I can't recommend these highly enough. And if you are on Instagram, you can see lots of her designs modeled by actual guests by following @myfantasybands. Have fun perusing Erin's site! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-14640261145954174052016-09-15T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-15T07:00:18.940-04:00The Chapeau | DIY Sleeping Beauty's Fairy Merryweather's HatIn honor of Felt Hat Day (which is today for those of you unawares), I am rerunning this post about making my favorite fairy's fascinator! I hope you enjoy it!<br />
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I am in love with the hat shop on Main Street USA: The Chapeau. It's the place to find any hat your heart desires; as long as Disney makes it! I realize there are those who would never be caught dead in a Disney hat, and those of us who think they are AWESOME. If you fit into that latter category, then this post is for you!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgMWemrwkY/UlVCBMZ0gTI/AAAAAAAAEoM/zR_1pBZDM2c/s1600/Merryweather+Fascinator.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgMWemrwkY/UlVCBMZ0gTI/AAAAAAAAEoM/zR_1pBZDM2c/s320/Merryweather+Fascinator.JPG" title="Merryweather Fascinator DIY Disney Hat from Merryweather's Cottage" width="320" /></a>I have an affinity with Merryweather, naturally, but she's not the easiest character to find in the parks. And neither is a Merryweather themed hat. So I put my DIY skills to use and created my very own Merryweather fascinator. This is my very first foray into the world of millinery, so I did a little research on hat making via YouTube. Just search for "how to make a fascinator" and you'll get plenty of videos to choose from! If you too are new to the hat making world, you'll want to become familiar with a product called <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=sinimay&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=sinamay&rls=en&tbm=shop" target="_blank">sinamay</a>. It's what the structure of the hat is made from. It helps it hold it's shape and gives it the body you need for it to stand up on it's own. The link will take you to several resources for purchasing sinamay.<br />
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I first created a pattern using scrapbooking paper (as it was large enough to experiment with, and I have TONS of it), a compass, and scotch tape. Once I had my basic shape together (which took several tries), I took it all apart and cut the pieces from the sinamay. I used a double layer of sinamay because I wasn't sure a single layer would hold the shape as well as I wanted it to. After all, that hat had to make it all the way to Florida without getting crushed!<br />
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After I had the sinamay cut out, I cut out felt about a 1/4" larger than the sinamay and machine stitched it to the sinamay. I then shaped the hat into it's 3-dimentional form and pinned it together. I hand sewed the hat together trying to hide my stitches where I could. Once it was together I realized it needed the organza on it to really make it work. What a difference that made! It went from ok, to cool. The devil is always in the details!<br />
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My hair is quite fine, so a comb was not going to work for me to wear this all day in the park. I decided to attach it to a thin, ribbon-covered headband I found at JoAnn's. It worked like a dream! The headband is small enough that it doesn't fight with my glasses for room behind my ears, is fairly well hidden in my hair, and comfortable enough to wear all day. For a first project, I couldn't be happier! I'd love to see any hats you may have altered or made for your trips to the Happiest Place On Earth.<br />
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Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-51743688447132581072016-09-13T06:30:00.000-04:002016-09-13T06:30:14.018-04:00DIY Disney's Haunted Mansion Halloween Decor | Madame Leota Candle<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nm5OaHqmDUU/UfvBfMepLTI/AAAAAAAAEi8/K4UkFGXb2y4/s1600/IMG_3257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nm5OaHqmDUU/UfvBfMepLTI/AAAAAAAAEi8/K4UkFGXb2y4/s320/IMG_3257.jpg" width="320" /></a>As I have mentioned many a time, we like to use the Haunted Mansion as our inspiration for Halloween decor. And since we leave for Disney in just a couple weeks (yes, again!), it certainly puts us in the mood! I created a candle for my favorite spider candle holder (which it appears, <a href="http://www.partylite.com/en-us/halloween/halloween/ProductDetails.aspx" target="_blank">PartyLite</a> no longer makes.) This candle has Madame Leota's incantation printed on it. For those of you who may not be as steeped in Disney tradition as we are in the cottage, Madame Leota is the talking head in the crystal ball in the seance room of the Haunted Mansion, just before the ballroom in the attraction. What you may not also realize, is that Madame Leota was modeled after a long-time Disney Imagineer, Leota Toombs Thomas. You can read a little more about her over at <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/2010/01/disney-imagineer-leota-toombs-thomas/" target="_blank">Magical School House</a>, in a wonderful interview with her sister-in-law.<br />
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Making this candle was easier that I expected. In fact, this decorative candle tutorial from Heidi Swapp was incredibly easy to follow! I love the endless possibilities it offers! So first, here's the tutorial:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMThjPzf6Z4/UfuwfP_iCVI/AAAAAAAAEiM/5XqdymIqgTs/s1600/MadameLeotasCandle.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMThjPzf6Z4/UfuwfP_iCVI/AAAAAAAAEiM/5XqdymIqgTs/s400/MadameLeotasCandle.png" width="400" /></a>Secondly, here's the print for my candle. You can download my <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20639137/MadameLeotaCandle.jpg" target="_blank">Madame Leota's Candle jpg </a>for free if you'd like to use it. It's made for a 4.5" tall candle with a 9" diameter. This is what it looks like flat:<br />
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I could go a little crazy with this! So many great things could be done. I love the idea of three different sized candles, each with a hitchhiking ghost! I'll let you know if I try any more. And please let us know if you try this too! We'd love to see what you come up with. Remember to tag us on Instagram, or leave us a comment below. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-28336307345309147702016-09-10T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-10T07:00:24.617-04:00Another Great DIY Disney Luggage Tag!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz12xjULt_8/V7ci3MiTG2I/AAAAAAAAGlw/MnVaqmyR9pwgLOLUlKoqogpleijULziewCLcB/s1600/IMG_0877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz12xjULt_8/V7ci3MiTG2I/AAAAAAAAGlw/MnVaqmyR9pwgLOLUlKoqogpleijULziewCLcB/s400/IMG_0877.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
Thursday's post has inspired me to create another cute DIY felt luggage tag for our family's upcoming Fall Break Trip!<br />
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I give you Donald Duck. I was a little worried about sewing around a shape with a lot more definition than the simple three circles of the Mickey head in the last post. But it was not as difficult as I first thought. As long as I went slow it was fine! Here's the trick, I like to make the stitches in the zig-zag closer together. So if your machine can shorten the distance between stitches, I would recommend it. It looks a bit more uniform in the end. I also love how the yellow felt pops on the blue background. You will DEFINITELY be able to spot your luggage on that carousel!<br />
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If you want the full description on the how-to, check out my original post <a href="http://merryweatherscottage.blogspot.com/2013/09/diy-disney-felt-luggage-tags.html" target="_blank">DIY Disney Felt Luggage Tags</a>. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-18407830622820965332016-09-08T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-08T07:00:12.010-04:00DIY Disney Felt Luggage Tags<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdFF50dfqb4/Uic4inCl8GI/AAAAAAAAEms/o1mdaIOEHq4/s1600/IMG_3988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdFF50dfqb4/Uic4inCl8GI/AAAAAAAAEms/o1mdaIOEHq4/s320/IMG_3988.jpg" title="Merryweather's Cottage DIY Disney Felt Luggage Tags" width="240" /></a>Are you headed to a Disney Destination for Fall Break this year? If so, this is the perfect little project to get you in the Disney spirit!<br />
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You know how excited you are to get to Disney, and then you get to the airport and everyone's bag looks pretty much the same? Even with those snazzy Disney luggage tags they send you, your bag still looks like everyone else's, because they got the same tags you did!<br />
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September is National Sewing Month and as such, I thought it would be fun to share this easy Disney luggage tag. You can make it in any color your choose, but it will make your bag stand out as your own. That's a particularly good thing when you have antsy, anxious children pulling your pant leg, ready to get to Disney!<br />
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You could hand stitch this project or machine stitch it. I chose to use the machine simply for the sake of time. I was able to whip this up in half an hour. That's well within our nap-time window here at the cottage!<br />
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I first did a Google search for a Mickey Mouse silhouette, printed it, and used it as a template for this tag. I then cut out my Mickey from black felt, used it to determine the size for the background and cut out two rectangles of felt. (I chose yellow for the other side of this tag because that's what I had, but get creative and let your tag be entirely yours.)<br />
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I then took the red felt, pinned the Mickey silhouette to that and used a zigzag stitch to appliqué it to the background. I then pinned the yellow felt to the back of the red felt and used the overlock stitch to sew them together. You could also play around with the decorative stitches on your machine for sewing the two rectangles together. I love using felt for this project, because even if you use a strait stitch to finish this project, your edges will look good.<br />
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I'd love to get several of these together for our next trip, each one themed to our favorite characters. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-64427450540849347062016-09-06T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-06T07:00:10.219-04:00Hitchhiking Ghosts Products on Redbubble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since we just revisited these lovable ghosts on the DIY side of things, I thought it would be a good time to remind you that if you are overwhelmed with life right now (back to school is STILL a factor here in the cottage!), you can still get really cute T-shirts, dresses, leggings and bags over on <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/harrisonamy/works/10713501-haunted-mansion-hitchhiking-ghosts?p=t-shirt&style=womens&body_color=heather_grey&print_location=front" target="_blank">my Rebubble site</a>!<br />
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There are so many styles to choose from there. And you can see all my other designs there too! If you're headed to Walt Disney World this fall, or attending one of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties, this could be exactly what you need to declare your love of all things Haunted Mansion!<br />
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Be sure to leave some love if you check out this design. Until next time, may all your days be filled wit fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-88576168899695323802016-09-03T06:20:00.000-04:002016-09-03T06:20:04.270-04:00DIY Disney's Haunted Mansion Halloween Decor | Hitchhiking Ghost Windows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's officially time to start thinking about Halloween Decor! I am running one of my favorite Halloween posts today! Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlhPvamk3YM/Uihl70Xt83I/AAAAAAAAEng/JvJIfivEqjk/s1600/HitchhikingGhostPost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="219" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlhPvamk3YM/Uihl70Xt83I/AAAAAAAAEng/JvJIfivEqjk/s640/HitchhikingGhostPost.jpg" title="DIY Disney's Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghost Window Decals from Merryweather's Cottage" width="640" /></a></div>
When it comes to Halloween, I like the tamer side of things. I think that's why I gravitate to Disney's Haunted Mansion. It's spooky and fun without traveling into horror in any way. That's my idea of Halloween. And so we tend to be the Haunted Mansion house in our neighborhood, in that we play a CD of the area music, have a fog machine, carve our pumpkins to resemble the hitchhiking ghosts, and now, we will have the same hitchhikers in our windows!<br />
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I created these Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts PNG files using photoshop. If you would like to purchase them for your own uses (scrapbooking or otherwise) you can find them in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/158392643/disneys-haunted-mansion-hitchhiking" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. For this project, I simply imported the shapes to my Silhouette Studio software. I traced them using the trace tool and cut them out of adhesive vinyl. Remember when you are cutting out anything with words, think about reversing the image before you cut it. It depends on whether you want them to be legible to those in the house, or those on the street.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q11Ig4MBcWs/UihnOwqFtLI/AAAAAAAAEns/VT20dwezAtU/s1600/3HitchhikingGhostsPNG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q11Ig4MBcWs/UihnOwqFtLI/AAAAAAAAEns/VT20dwezAtU/s320/3HitchhikingGhostsPNG.jpg" title="Disney's Hitchhiking Ghosts 4 PNG Files from Merryweather's Cottage" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once they are cut use the transfer paper to adhere them to the windows. I did not and wound up tearing off the middle hitchhiker's arm at the elbow. I just pieced it together again, but it was disconcerting! Now you're done! You have recreated the ghosts in the graveyard scene from the Haunted Mansion attraction! For a sharp silhouette, pull the blinds or the sheer curtains and turn on all the lights in the room so the light shines through, but the rest of the room is obscured from view. I can't wait to see how many trick-or-treaters (or their parents) recognize our grim grinning ghosts!<br />
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Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-69195608681762558982016-09-01T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-01T07:00:12.342-04:00DIY Small Zippered Mickey Mouse Pouch<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_cLjGrAMBE/U2de3sYqtxI/AAAAAAAAFGw/OfGmF4bdBVE/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_cLjGrAMBE/U2de3sYqtxI/AAAAAAAAFGw/OfGmF4bdBVE/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG" width="320" /></a>As you know, I'm a fan of little bags and pouches for travel. I saw this little beauty and thought it could be Disney-fied with a little alteration. And while I would work a bit on the shapes of the ears, this came together very easily and I would certainly do it again!<br />
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I found the original pattern from <a href="http://www.erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/">Dog Under My Des</a>k on Pinterest. I had all the necessary supplies already in my stash, so this project was definitely budget friendly! If you don't already have what you need, I would say this can easily come in under $5.00 a pouch. Still well within my Tinkerbell Treasure limit. And wouldn't it be so cute for all your pressed pennies? Of course the author of the pattern, Erin, suggests using it as a housing for your earbuds. I also love this idea. Keeping those things from tangling with everything else in my bag is forever my mission! And a great solution for the kids! Especially since this isn't too girly - Doc would even use it.</div>
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I tried using different circle shapes for the ears, and in the end, went with this: </div>
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As I mentioned before, I would probably choose to go with bigger circles next time. It's always a bit tricky sewing around circles, but over all, I was still pleased with the way this pouch turned out. It will definitely get used! And I can imagine an endless stream of variations for the fabrics and for making it fit different Disney characters.</div>
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Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-77657753380693024412016-08-30T07:00:00.000-04:002016-08-30T07:00:38.869-04:00Disney Eyes T-shirts on Redbubble<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e2nAJ_Jf88/V60TXzFmX6I/AAAAAAAAGkg/WvGiyhO2Aq83Rh7F-jRqwNTAFS977kJ0wCLcB/s1600/EyesShirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e2nAJ_Jf88/V60TXzFmX6I/AAAAAAAAGkg/WvGiyhO2Aq83Rh7F-jRqwNTAFS977kJ0wCLcB/s400/EyesShirts.jpg" width="400" /></a>Did you know that August is National Eye Exam Month? Well to celebrate that we are showcasing all our designs with Disney Eyes from <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/harrisonamy/works/10700836-roz-is-watching-always-watching?asc=u&ref=recent-owner" target="_blank">my Redbubble shop</a>! I still think Wall-E is my favorite!<br />
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Don't forget that you can find all these fun designs on bags, journals, tech cases and more! Head on over there and take a gander.<br />
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Don't forget to get your regular eye exam and until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-59738616778598671532016-08-27T07:00:00.001-04:002016-08-27T07:00:22.565-04:00Upcycled Disney T-shirt Trinket Bag<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGhOhfn9Y8I/Uw6hyeK-65I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/hiQaFXhStRw/s1600/IMG_8401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGhOhfn9Y8I/Uw6hyeK-65I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/hiQaFXhStRw/s1600/IMG_8401.jpg" title="Upcycled DIY Disney T-shirt Trinket Bag by Merryweather's Cottage" width="240" /></a>I have shared this tutorial on the blog before, but it is amazing to me how many of these little bags we use and how handy they are in my travel gear. So I hop you enjoy this rerun from March of 2014!<br />
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We are gearing up for another road trip, this time to Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort! In preparation for that, I am getting out all our road trip goodies. I realized that my previous case for all my electronics was woefully lacking in space for my new gadgetry. I needed something with a little more room that I could slip in my knitting basket or my purse without a lot of fuss. And I like having it all in one place, but not a tangled mess in my purse! As I was scavenging through my bin of t-shirts and clothing to recycle, I noticed a t-shirt that Little Chef was not too fond of because the printing on the front was uncomfortable. I didn't even put it in the rotation for Minnie. It was an 18-month Mickey T-shirt and perfectly suited for the job!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xSVnk4083E/Uw6iF1AXgdI/AAAAAAAAE-g/sp757LEZFio/s1600/IMG_8398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xSVnk4083E/Uw6iF1AXgdI/AAAAAAAAE-g/sp757LEZFio/s1600/IMG_8398.jpg" width="240" /></a>This was the easiest project I've done in some time. I simply cut the sleeves and bottom off the shirt, centering the Mickey image, and leaving the neck in tact as a ready-made casing for the drawstring. I used an overlock stitch and sewed up the three sides of the shirt. I then angled the corners in and cut them off, because I like a flat-bottomed bag. This is certainly a step you don't need to take, it just adds a nice touch. If it intimidates you, leave it out.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AorSx2bAIyU/Uw6iGJUsUJI/AAAAAAAAE-s/1itvH0YXl8c/s1600/IMG_8399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AorSx2bAIyU/Uw6iGJUsUJI/AAAAAAAAE-s/1itvH0YXl8c/s1600/IMG_8399.jpg" width="240" /></a>I then opened up a hole in the collar seam using my seam ripper, and slipped a ribbon through the casing the same way you would in a pair of pants. Because this is jersey, you really don't need to worry about the fabric unraveling, so I simply left the hole in the collar! I tied the two ends of the ribbon together with a knot, turned the bag right-side out and there you have it! Easy as can be!<br />
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Now I have a place for all my iPhone, Kindle and iPad cords, earbuds, etc., and they won't be a tangled mess when I want them! These would also be terrific bags for Tinkerbell Treasures, either to give filled with goodies or to give as a goody! And if you don't have an ample supply of 12-18M shirts in your cottage, the Goodwill is an excellent place to get exactly this sort of thing for a bargain price. In fact, I have found some wonderful park merchandise there that we wear in the parks! (No one has to know!) I do love a good bargain. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-19213346523962541322016-08-25T07:00:00.001-04:002016-08-25T07:00:26.137-04:00WDW Abbreviations Cheat SheetHave you ever heard a Disney geek talk about going to Walt Disney World? It can sound like a foreign language! We can frequently be heard saying (or texting) that we are taking the ferry from the WL to the MK and hitting POTC first thing so we can make our ADR for BOG. It can make you wonder what in the world we were talking about!<br />
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Disney has gotten so big, and has so many special Disney experiences, that most of who deal with it on a daily basis have learned a sort of short cut language if you will. We speak in a lot of abbreviations, and I know I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to these coded messages<br />
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Well, for those of you newbies (or oldies who are struggling to remember!), here's a little cheat sheet for you.<br />
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So did you decode the original message? We were taking the ferry from the Wilderness Lodge to the Magic Kingdom to Pirates Of The Caribbean in order to make it to our Advanced Dining Reservation at Be Our Guest! You can see why the abbreviations come in so handy! I hope this helps you decode the Disney speak a little. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128165642237040791.post-80478171528011707712016-08-23T06:08:00.000-04:002016-08-23T06:08:00.174-04:00Kid-Size Vacation Package Now Available at WDWHello friends! I know its time to start thinking about he holidays and crafting but of my goodness this offer is too good not to share! You can head to Walt Disney World with your little for just $1055.00! Here are all the details:<br />
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If this package is in your wheelhouse, please give me a call as soon as possible! I'll get you booked and on your way to a magical vacation! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652075351911729385noreply@blogger.com0